"D" vs "E" Rated tires, am I missing something???

[Kiohio]

Been looking around at tires.

While looking at the tires on the truck I just got and others I have in my small "fleet" I noticed something odd.

The new truck has 285 Bridgestones on it rated "D" the sidewall says 3305lb@65psi.

Another I looked at 245/75/16's rated "E" but the sidewall says 3042lb@80psi.

I also have a set of 265/70/16's on my 89 "E" rated, sidewall says 3415 @80psi.



What gives?? I figured that all "E" rated tires would be rated at higher than any "D" rated tire.



If not which should I go by, the actual "E" vs "D" rating or the actual lb rating?



Thanks, KO

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

Looks like the difference is in the running inflation PSI...

 

[MoparBob]

Always go with what the tire manufacturer has set for the maximum load for the tire. You'll find the more you research it, that the "D" or "E" rating isn't as important as the manufacturers maximum loaded weight rating is and what weight you plan on putting on the tires. For example, there are many brands of tires that have an "E" rated tire in a smaller size that is rated for lets say 3100lbs. Now, in the exact same tire but just a larger size you notice it is "D" rated but look at the weight rating for it and it happens to be 3095lbs or even 3500lbs. Both tires might be good for your application even though one tire is D rated instead of E.

 

[RDyson]

E rated tires tend to have more sidewall plies also. Makes them a more stable tire. Believe me I know... ...

Next tires I buy WILL be E rated.



Randy

 

[MoparBob]

E rated tires tend to have more sidewall plies also. Makes them a more stable tire. Believe me I know... ...

Next tires I buy WILL be E rated.

Very true... quite a few of them (though not all) do.

 

[Bertram65]

Ply rating, sidewall stiffness is the difference between D and E tires, D are 8 ply rated and E are 10 ply rated. D rated tires are marginal for 3/4 and 1 ton trucks, weight rating does not matter as much.

 

[JasonCzerak]

There was a WORLD OF A DIFFERENCE between the Nittoe 295/70/17 D's and the 285/70/17 E's.

the 295's look A LOT better on the stock rims then the 285s, but the 285 feel safer and better over all tire.

I run 60PSI up front and 40psi in the rear empty. Best over all braking, cornering and acceleration with minimal tire spin (in 2wd). 50psi or more empty in the rear with 80,000 mile old shocks gets bouncy and annoying real quick.

 

[TowPro]

My titanium has "D's" on it. My last camper had "E's" but they were smaller. The "D's on the titanium have a higher load capacity then the smaller "E's" on the last RV did. The only difference I notice is the Titanium seems to have more movement in it when sitting still and someone walks through the camper. I have set outside when someone was making the camper move, all the movement was flex in the sidewalls of the D tires. If I have to replace tires on the Titanium I will put "E's" on it to help stop the movement.

 

[Kiohio]

Makes sense.

Thanks alot guys!



KO